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Monday, May 17, 2010

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Did you ever wonder if folks who have a meat man or a fish man, also have a muffin man? I've always been slightly uncomfortable when people attach a possessive descriptor to the names of their purveyors. That makes it a bit awkward for me to talk about the person from whom I buy my mushrooms. Saturdays, rain or shine, he sells the treasures he's foraged in the wild or harvested from tunnels that he tends. This past weekend there were morels among the more common mushrooms on his table. Pure gold, and almost as expensive. Now, most mushroom hunters keep what they know to themselves. Not so this man. Save for divulging the actual coordinates of his territory, he will tell you everything he knows about foraging his favorite fungi. That's how I came to know where to look for morels in this area. Strange as it may seem, apple orchards, burned fields and the banks of streams that regularly flood are where you want to be. Using his advice I actually found one. One. Not quite enough to prepare a meal for Meatless Monday, but enough to spark a germ of recollection about a mushroom entree that would be perfect for the day. It's a burger. Strangely enough, the growers I know don't cultivate portobello mushrooms. They think they take up too much space in their limited operations. Getting back to the burgers, you'll find them very easy to make, though there may be some who object to the cost of the balsamic vinegar used to marinate the mushrooms. One thing that I want to point out is the importance of scraping away the gills of the mushrooms. If left in place, they will turn your burgers black and allow them to absorb too much vinegar. It's also important to use good, brioche-type, buns and fully ripe tomatoes. These burgers are particularly wonderful in August when ripened Brandywine tomatoes become available. Here's the recipe for a really great meatless "burger."

Oh dear, this is making me so hungry right now! I'm craving for a portobello marinted burger and it's only 10 am! Thanks for stopping by at my blog. I'm glad you left a comment, because now I'm introduced to your lustworthy blog!

Mary, how fortunate you are to have a "mushroom man"! My Nonna in Italy had one when I was a child- he also supplied truffles and I remember being fascinated by his stories. These are right up my alley as I frequently have portobello burgers while my husband enjoys his beef :)xoxo pattie

Another great recipe, as always . . . and morels grow well here on the prairie and, in our youth, we used to forage for them bring home enough for several meals. The locals, there, however, batter and deep fry them -- they are good but not as good as say, chicken and morels!

This is a beautiful creation. Portobellos are so meaty and absorb the flavor of a marinade so well. Wish I could have one right now, because the caramelized onions are the perfect topping to such flavors!

Thank you, Mary, for the delicious taste of summer (but, oh spring will you ever arrive here?) that I shall tuck away for when tomatoes are at the farmers' markets. I also have a recipe for homemade buns tucked away as well.

One of my favorite restaurants has something very like this on the menu. I've never had the nerve to ask for the recipe - and here you are with one! I have everything but the mushroom - and that can be remedied this afternoon.

I had to take a double take on the burger, it looks almost "real". I love mushrooms and this burger looks so awesome I wish I had it in front of me right now. This is going on my menu for next week. Thank you for posting it :o)

Oh, Mary, that photo is so inviting! I wish I were having this burger for lunch right now! While that's not going to happen, you do remind me that I need to make some portobello burgers soon. I love them, but oddly enough I often forget about them. Thanks for the reminder!

I am so excited about this recipe, Mary! My sister is on a very strict diet which does not allow protein. She eats A LOT of vegetables and adores portobella mushrooms. She will love to hear about this burger!

Yes indeed, I have my chicken man, our lettuce lady, I even have my leg lady (she does my massages) so bring on the mushroom man. These burgers are amazing and I so want to taste one. I've never seen portobello mushrooms here but I've always wanted to try them and this would be the way!

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